Multimedia network system with content importation, content exportation, and integrated content management

Abstract

This system provides wired and/or wireless access throughout a multimedia network built on a distributed architecture which can be transparent to the user. This multimedia network includes content which is imported or generated within the network. The system allows for the content provider to determine the license status of content and update the license status of content which was previously provided by that provider. The external content can be accessed in real time or downloaded and stored within the system for later access at the convenience of the user. The usage of some content is controlled by the use of encryption and other protection methods. The system allows for storage of live video by storing the digitized video and allowing the user to control how, when and where the content is viewed. The system makes available multiple multimedia services to all users in the network or connected via the internet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for displaying a synchronized instance of streaming content on a portable electronic device, comprising:
 receiving, at the portable electronic device via a wireless local area network, a selection of streaming content that is being displayed on a fixed display system;   determining, at the portable electronic device, whether the portable electronic device is compatible with the streaming content being displayed on the fixed display system based at least in part upon at least one compatibility requirement, wherein, when it is determined that the portable electronic device is not compatible with the streaming content, acquiring the at least one compatibility requirement from the fixed display system, and wherein when it is determined that the portable electronic device is compatible with the streaming content being displayed on the fixed display system, then, at the portable electronic device:
 requesting, from a content source, the synchronized instance of the streaming content for display on the portable electronic device; 
 receiving, from the content source, the synchronized instance of the streaming content; and 
 displaying, on the portable electronic device, the synchronized instance of the streaming content. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in response to a determination that the portable electronic device is not compatible with the streaming content being displayed on the fixed display system;
 requesting, on the portable electronic device, a mirrored synchronized instance of the streaming content for display on the portable electronic device, the mirrored synchronized instance being mirrored from the fixed display system; and   displaying, on the portable electronic device, the mirrored synchronized instance of the streaming content.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 before receiving the selection of streaming content, displaying, on the portable electronic device, information related to the streaming content being displayed on the fixed display system, the streaming content being streamed to the fixed display system via the wireless local area network.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless local area network is based on IEEE 802.11 technology. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the portable electronic device is compatible with the streaming content being displayed on the fixed display system further comprises determining whether the portable electronic device includes an application used to display the streaming content on the fixed display system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the synchronized instance of the streaming content on the portable electronic device comprises determining a synchronization mismatch between the streaming content that is being displayed on the fixed display system and the synchronized instance of the streaming content being displayed on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed display system is at least one of:
 a digital camera, a television, a set-top box, a video game console, a digital video disk (DVD) player, a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), and a digital media player.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 in response to requesting the synchronized instance of the streaming content, receiving, on the portable electronic device, the synchronized instance of the streaming content from the fixed display system via the wireless local area network.   
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 at least one computing device; and   a portable electronic device configured to:
 receive a selection streaming content that is being displayed on a fixed display system associated with the at least one computing device; 
 generate, based on the streaming content, display data for display on a display screen associated with the portable electronic device; 
 receive a query from the at least one computing device requesting compatibility requirements for displaying the streaming content on the portable electronic device; 
 receive a response from the at least one computing device that comprises the compatibility requirements; 
 request a synchronized instance of the streaming content for display; 
 render the synchronized instance of the streaming content for display on the display screen; and 
 receive transmission of the synchronized instance of the streaming content for display on the display screen. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the synchronized instance of the streaming content is transmitted from the at least one computing device to the portable electronic device via a local area network. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one computing device and the portable electronic device are coupled to a local area network, and before requesting the synchronized instance of the streaming content, the portable electronic device receives transmitted information that is related to the streaming content. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the information that is related to the streaming content is at least one of: an application used to display the streaming content on the display screen; and an identifier for the streaming content. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the synchronized instance of the streaming content for display on the display is generated based on information related to the display. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the display screen is associated with a television or monitor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fixed display system is at least one of:
 a digital camera, a television, a set-top box, a video game console, a digital video disk (DVD) player, a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), and a digital media player.   
     
     
         16 . A system for displaying a synchronized instance of streaming content comprising:
 a portable electronic device; and   a plurality of computer instructions executable in at least one computing device, wherein the plurality of computer instructions cause the least one computing device to:   transmit a selection of streaming content that is being displayed on a fixed display system to the portable electronic device;   determine whether the portable electronic device is compatible with the streaming content being displayed on the fixed display system based at least in part upon a compatibility requirement, wherein when it is determined that the portable electronic device is not compatible:
 sending the compatibly requirement, in response to a request; 
   wherein when it is determined that the portable electronic device is compatible:
 transmitting, from a content source, the synchronized instance of the streaming content to the portable electronic device for display. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein when it is determined that the portable electronic device is not compatible with the streaming content being displayed on the fixed display system, the plurality of computer instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:
 transmit the synchronized instance of the streaming content to the portable electronic device for display based on mirroring the fixed display system.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein before the selection is transmitted, the plurality of computer instructions further cause the at least one computing device to: transmit information related to the streaming content being displayed on the fixed display system to be displayed on a display associated with the portable electronic device; and wherein the portable electronic device is coupled to a local area network, and the streaming content is streamed to the fixed display system using the local area network. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the synchronized instance of the streaming content is transmitted for display on the portable electronic device over a wireless network, wherein the wireless network comprises a network using an IEEE 802.11 standard. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of computer instructions further cause the at least one computing device to determine a synchronization mismatch between the streaming content that is being displayed on the fixed display system and the synchronized instance of the streaming content being displayed on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the synchronized instance of the streaming content being transmitted for display on the portable electronic device is mirrored and transmitted via a local area network.